COST vs HSY: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of September 2026, COST (Costco Wholesale Corporation) screens as the stronger dividend stock, winning 6 of 8 head-to-head metrics. HSY offers the higher yield at 3.42%, COST has the higher dividend-safety score, and HSY trades at the larger discount to fair value (+32%).
| Metric | COST | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 0.66% | 3.42% |
| Annual dividend | $5.88 | $5.81 |
| Payout ratio | 27% | 77% |
| Years of growth | 21 yr | 0 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 13.0% | 11.7% |
| 5-yr total return | 82% | -3% |
| Dividend safety score | 97 (A) | 88 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $441.82 | $223.69 |
| Upside to fair value | -51% | +32% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $397.1B | $34.1B |
| P/E ratio | 45.0 | 23.2 |
Higher yield
HSY
3.42%
Safer dividend
COST
Grade A
Faster growth
COST
13.0%
Better value
HSY
+32% upside
COST vs HSY — FAQ
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